World The Making of Superman The Movie

[ReeveFan1978]

Morning all

I just started to re-read my old paperback from 1978 about the Making of the movie.

It says initially Donner didnt want Chris. He wanted a famous actor (bad bad idea) and thought Chris was too skinny.

Within a couple weeks, he was stating how incredible, and professional Chris was and what a joy to work with.

Does anyone else have this book. I barely remember it because its been years since I read it.

EL

"Once a girl's seen Superman in action, Niagara Falls kinda leaves you cold."

 

[melfangiel]

I thought Donner always mentioned that he wanted an unknown for Superman right from the start? Unless he has been contradicting himself...

 

[BatFitz]

No, the Salkinds wanted a famous actor. Donner couldn't picture anybody like Newman or Redford putting on tights and flying.

 

[buggs0268]

Morning all

I just started to re-read my old paperback from 1978 about the Making of the movie.

It says initially Donner didnt want Chris. He wanted a famous actor (bad bad idea) and thought Chris was too skinny.

Within a couple weeks, he was stating how incredible, and professional Chris was and what a joy to work with.

Does anyone else have this book. I barely remember it because its been years since I read it.

EL

"Once a girl's seen Superman in action, Niagara Falls kinda leaves you cold."

i remember that book. I used to have it. I read it and THE JAWS LOG about the same time.

 

[ReeveFan1978]

I can type out the quote credited to Donner if you like. Page 40 it states

"BUt Dick Donner seemed basically unimpressed (with Chris) HE thought Chris was too young and too skinny. although he was handsome and intelligent. Anyway the cautious Donner was inclined to still opt for a big named star. Salkind however was enthusasitic esp when he persiaded Chris to put on a pair of horn rimmed glasseses."

Thats what the book says. Dated 1978 David Michael Petrou. Sometimes myth creep up about the making of a movie. I tend to think a 1978 source would be most accurate.

EL

 

[Lex Luthor]

That is interesting.

I still chuckle at the thought of Charles Bronson doing a screen test for Superman. I really cant picture that one.

 

[PSU442]

dude -- watch the superman dvd special features.... i'll take that over a 1978 "making of" book. The Salkinds wanted Redford or Newman and camp (well, more camp than what we got.) Donner didn't want a 'name' and to take the character seriously.

 

[ReeveFan1978]

You are entitled to believe the more current dvd specials/ But this author was hired by the directors and producers to follow them around and make an accurate recording of the behind the scenes stuff.

I didnt say Donner wanted redford, bronson, someone's dentist..that crazy casting was entirely the salkinds. I agree with you there.

Im not a dude either. Im a dudette.



EL

 

[captain_jimbo]

Yeah, apparently Donner never wanted a famous star in the role, he always wanted an unknown actor. Thank God for him.

 

[PSU442]

dudette --- doesn't donner say he wanted an unknown on the dvd. I don't know who to believe... it just seems to me that the Salkind would have less of a hand in the dvd docs.

 

[ReeveFan1978]

Nowadays, Donner does state he wanted an unknown.

Im just saying, back then, in the very first days, according to the book he authorized, he says differently.

People change their minds. Or the author printed inaccurate information.

Doesnt matter. He hired Chris. Thats all I care about.

LOL

EL

 

[C. Lee]

I reread that book last year....I used exerpts from it in a couple of discussions with people who were so hot headed they wouldn't believe me even when I quoted sections.....typical day at the Hype.

 

[ReeveFan1978]

LOL

It is interesting to re-read after time has gone by and see how some of the mythology has changed from the first reports, isnt it??

Have a great day.

Love this board!!!!


EL

"Once a girl's seen Superman in action, Niagara Falls kinda leaves you cold."

I reread that book last year....I used exerpts from it in a couple of discussions with people who were so hot headed they wouldn't believe me even when I quoted sections.....typical day at the Hype.

 

[C. Lee]

LOL

It is interesting to re-read after time has gone by and see how some of the mythology has changed from the first reports, isnt it??

Have a great day.

Love this board!!!!

I read it when it first came out (I'm one of the oldest people around here)...and didn't pick it up again until last year. I had boxed it away with a bunch of other books (I hate to throw books away, would rather give them to others) and wasn't even sure if I still had it.

When many on here were arguing about certain things, I thought I would dig it out and see what it said. In the almost 30 years between reading I had forgotten many specific parts, but remembered some of the basics (like Donner's search for the right actor and how he thought Reeve was too thin at first). It was interesting to see the corolation between then and now in some of the complaints.

 

[ReeveFan1978]

HI again

Yes I had mine boxed too. I have a bunch of superman scrapbooks, comics etc from the 70's. Im no spring chicken myself. LOL

I love the Cary bates comics--seeing them again reminded me why.

I also have a ton of Lois Lane comicsfrom late 60's through those in Superman family with Mr and Mrs. Kent. Also fun to read. I rarely throw any book, comic, magazine away. I can understand your reaosning very well.

EL